Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1 ) has been reported to have, experimentally and clinically, a protective effect against liver damage. This effect may result from the relaxation of hepatic stellate cells, whose contraction induces vasoconstriction of hepatic sinusoids. However, prostaglandins are unstable and a new drug delivery system is necessary to administer a sufficient amount of prostaglandin to achieve a protective effect in the liver. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of lipo-prostaglandin E1 (lipo-PGE1 ) which has a novel drug delivery system on the stellate cell contraction induced by endothelin-1 in vitro. Lipo-PGE1 inhibited endothelin-1-induced stellate cell contraction in concentrations of 10, 30 and 50 ng/mL. Therefore, lipo-PGE1 may show a cytoprotective effect in the liver through the relaxation of stellate cells and an increase in the hepatic sinusoidal blood flow.
Keywords: Ito cell; cell culture; drug delivery system; endothelin; liposome; microcirculation.
© 1998 The Official Publication of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver and the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology.